In the Spotlight: Kelly Davis, M.D.

A board-certified physician in pediatrics and sports medicine has recently joined the CHOC Children’s Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Kelly Davis specializes in sports injuries, injury prevention, concussion management and advanced musculoskeletal ultrasound medicine for children, adolescents and young adults. Among the most common diagnoses she sees include overuse injuries and knee pain in athletes of all ages who play a variety of sports.

Her passion for helping young athletes comes from her own experience growing up playing sports. She played tennis, soccer, basketball, and also swam and water skied. She continues to play competitive tennis today and thanks her mom, a huge tennis enthusiast, for getting her into the sport.

“My mom played in college and has been my coach my whole life. I think what I love about tennis so much is that no matter your age or skill level, there is always someone you can play with and it is a great way to meet new people,” she says.

Dr. Davis completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, followed by medical school at Temple University School of Medicine, in Philadelphia. After graduation, she completed a pediatric residency at CHOC, and stayed an additional year to serve as chief resident. She completed a fellowship in pediatric primary care sports medicine at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

During her time at Vanderbilt University, she served as a team physician for a high school and for several collegiate teams including football, baseball, cross country, track and field, tennis and soccer. Additionally, she was a team physician for the Nashville Sounds, a minor league baseball team.

Today, she continues to have the same commitment and enthusiasm for her patients.

“These kids have a certain drive. They’re really motivated and fun to work with,” she explains. “I also know what it’s like to sustain an injury, put in the rehab work and come back to the sport you love.”

Her patient care philosophy is straightforward: She treats each patient and their family as she would want one of her own family members to be treated. As a recent, first-time mom, she has gained an added appreciation for her patients’ parents and their questions or concerns, she says.

“I’m available as a resource for our community providers as well,” Dr. Davis adds. “If they have any concerns or questions, they can reach out to me or a member of my team anytime.”

In her spare time, Dr. Davis loves spending time with her husband and their baby boy. She also enjoys playing soccer and tennis, hiking, camping and exploring the outdoors.